Small Business Marketing Blog » Promotional Desk Calendarshttp://blog.myron.com
Marketing Tips & Industry Trends powered by Myron Promotional Products & GiftsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:06:18 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.66 essential business decisions to make in the new yearhttp://blog.myron.com/2014/12/31/6-essential-business-decisions-to-make-in-the-new-year
http://blog.myron.com/2014/12/31/6-essential-business-decisions-to-make-in-the-new-year#commentsWed, 31 Dec 2014 13:10:33 +0000braftonhttp://blog.myron.com/2014/12/31/6-essential-business-decisions-to-make-in-the-new-yearWhen most people make New Year's resolutions, they're focused on bettering themselves. Even if the local gym is more crowded in January than it is in February, the new year usually makes people feel like they have a fresh start from all the troubles they faced over the past 365 days. While resolutions aren't typically applied to small business, who's to say that you can't give your company a little shot in the arm for the upcoming year?

Saying that your small business needs to "lose some weight" might scare some of your employees, but those aren't the types of changes you should be making anyway. Instead, focus on sound business moves that, when made correctly early in the year, make the following months much easier to manage. Whether you're buying promotional products or revisiting your taxes, check out these six essential business moves you need to make as early as possible in the new year.

2. Start a 401(k) plan
If your business has grown to the point where your employees are willing to spend their careers at your company, Paychex explained that it might be time to start a fund to help your workers save for their retirements. This doesn't have to be expensive, though – small businesses receive federal tax credits for the first three years after starting a 401(k) plan.

3. Trademark your brand
Sometimes, small businesses need to steal some tricks from retail giants to protect their interests from less scrupulous competitors, which is why BlackEnterprise.com recommended securing a trademark for all recognizable aspects of your brand. Maybe you have a logo that your customers have come to know you by, or perhaps you've spent a lot of time crafting and promoting a catchphrase for your business – if it's working for you, make sure nobody else can steal it.

4. Create a promotions calendar
The last thing you want is to book a spot at a trade show only to find out that you've waited too long to order enough promotional products. That's why it's so important to start the new year off by sitting down and creating a comprehensive, year-long look at what personalized products you need to purchase and when. In fact, if you order early enough, you can keep one of Myron's Barcelona Manager Date Log® Desk Calendars and use it to plan out the rest of your business activities for the year.

5. Make friends with the leaders
As a small business, it's not reasonable to think that you'll be able to take down retail giants that have dominated their industries for years. However, BlackEnterprise.com explained that by buddying up to them on social media, you can help elevate your brand's presence by piggybacking off of the larger company's household name status and bigger audience.

6. Purchase new equipment
If you've been putting off buying a new fleet of computers for the office, the Huffington Post explained that sooner is always better than later when it comes to in-office efficiency. Buy everything your office needs now to benefit from the increased productivity of your employees now that they've finally received what they've been clamoring for.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2014/12/31/6-essential-business-decisions-to-make-in-the-new-year/feed0Order next year’s promotional calendars in the fallhttp://blog.myron.com/2014/09/30/order-next-years-promotional-calendars-in-the-fall
http://blog.myron.com/2014/09/30/order-next-years-promotional-calendars-in-the-fall#commentsTue, 30 Sep 2014 12:02:56 +0000braftonhttp://blog.myron.com/2014/09/30/order-next-years-promotional-calendars-in-the-fallCalendars are an effective and inexpensive promotional tool for small businesses. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, are easy to customize and help market your company for 12 months. If you are planning to hand out promotional calendars next year, the best time to order them is the fall. Using this time frame will ensure that you have enough time to design the product, have it printed and hand it out to your customers.

Choosing a promotional calendar
The main considerations to take into account when choosing a promotional calendar are the company's budget and message. Your budget will dictate the size, shape, customization and delivery method of your calendars. Companies with smaller budgets might choose a product like the Admiral Pocket Pal Calendar, which is a convenient size, affordable and easy to personalize. Another option is the Inspirations Promotional Wall Calendar, which is filled with beautiful images and Bible verses. If you have a larger budget, the Windsor Desk Planner Calendar makes a great addition to any customer's desk.

Whichever product you choose, make sure that it has your company name and logo clearly displayed. You'll also want the promotional product to accurately reflect the business. A church might want calendars will Bible verses, while a real estate company would benefit from a product that has pictures of nice neighborhoods around the state. Another way to optimize the impact of calendars is to include a short call-to-action. If your company is particularly busy during the summer, include the business phone number and a short description of services on those pages.

Giving out the product
Once your product is designed and printed, it's time to hand the calendars out to your customers. If the company relies on a physical store, it's easy to slip a complimentary calendar into shopping bags at checkout. However, businesses that are based online may need to use direct mail to distribute the promotional product. There are many options when it comes to mailing a calendar. Mailing Envelopes for Wall Calendars are inexpensive and convenient for shipping. If you're distributing pocket calendars, use Pocket Pal Gift Boxes, that come in silver and gold. These sturdy boxes will ensure that your product gets to the consumer without harm and add a special touch to the gift.

The Health Resource Network has sponsored Stress Awareness Month since 1992 in an effort to create a national conversation about the effects of stress. The goal is to spread information about why stress is dangerous and how to cope with it. The organization also wants to change misconceptions about stress that are ingrained in American culture.

"Even though we've learned a lot about stress in the past twenty years, we've got a long way to go. New information is now available that could help millions of Americans eliminate their suffering" according to Dr. Morton C. Orman, M.D., Founder and Director of the HRN.

Stress explained
Feeling stressed out is actually a survival mechanism that is meant to encourage quick reflexes in dangerous situations. This is known as the fight or flight response, the human instinct to either put up defenses or make a getaway. When your brain senses a threat, it triggers the sympathetic response, causing stress hormones to enter the bloodstream. Blood pressure, heart rate and glucose levels are all affected by the hormone increase. The reaction isn't only caused by life-threatening situations however. Triggers affect some people more than others but they can found in any situation from a bad day at work to a family conflict. When the stress hormones are excreted, the immune system is suppressed. This is why consistent stress can result in more serious health problems. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alterative Medicine, chronic stress has been linked to the development or worsening of headaches, blood pressure, stomach pain and mental illness such as depression.

Destressing
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has several viable ways to reduce stress when those hormones kick in.

Exercise: Take a walk, go for a run or hit the gym. Dancing, swimming and cycling are also great outlets for stress.

Meditate or do yoga: Focusing on breathing helps people slow some of the hormone-based reactions. It can also distract from anxiety-causing thoughts.

Schedule hang time with friends and family: Spending time with the people who make people around them smile and laugh can slow the stress reaction. It can be helpful to talk stressors out but it's also fine to push them to the side and make fun the priority.

Visualization: Redirecting thoughts to a positive image, whether it be an adorable puppy or a beautiful beach scene, can improve the negative effects of stress. Visualization can also be used to aid progressive relaxation, the conscious process of releasing tension from each muscle group. Start with the facial and neck muscles then carry that thought through every body part until each individual toe is relaxed.

Stress reactions to avoid
According to the American Psychological Association, high levels of stress can cause people to use unhealthy coping mechanisms such as cigarette smoking or eating for comfort. Others may drink alcohol or become sedentary. These behaviors can cause health problems in the future thus should not be used for stress management.

Stress in the workplace
Job-related stress can have hidden costs for employers as a result of poor attendance and productivity or employee turnover. Share these tips with employees and encourage them to practice de-stressing behaviors. It could be helpful to distribute desk planners so employees can schedule relaxation breaks throughout the work week. Lunch bags may also encourage employees to bring healthy meals to work instead of eating out, resulting in better overall nutrition which can bolster the immune system.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2014/04/18/april-stress-awareness-month/feed0Get organized for the new year with promotional calendarshttp://blog.myron.com/2012/12/11/get-organized-for-the-new-year-with-promotional-calendars
http://blog.myron.com/2012/12/11/get-organized-for-the-new-year-with-promotional-calendars#commentsTue, 11 Dec 2012 14:52:06 +0000http://blog.myron.com/2012/12/11/get-organized-for-the-new-year-with-promotional-calendarsNew Year's Eve is only weeks away. Consumers will soon begin buying calendars so they can stay organized during 2013, even though digital calendars are readily available on their computers and phones. Laurence Prince, a printer from London, likened the popularity of paper calendars to greeting cards, even in this increasingly techno-centric age.

"It think it's immortal. When e-cards came out, everyone said they were going to be the death of the greetings card business. But people prefer something physical," Prince told the BBC.

Businesses can distribute calendars as promotional marketing products to customers. The branded gifts are used all year, so the advertisements will effectively last longer than many marketing messages.

Choosing decorations
Small business owners can give away promotional wall calendars that customers can use as decorations in their homes. Companies can find unique calendars for their clients so that their gifts command attention.

You can find calendars that feature photographs of famous locations and artwork. Customers are more likely to notice your advertisements when they're attached to beautiful pictures, and every page has a different image, so consumers will regularly see your logos.

Calendars can also be used to increase business every month. Consider including coupons on each page so that your customers must return to your business to take advantage of special deals.

On the go
Businesses can also distribute pocket calendars to employees who frequently travel or work remotely. The small schedules can help staffers stay organized even while they're not in the office.

Companies can make the calendars more personal by adding employees' names to the covers. Staffers want to be rewarded for their efforts, and receiving a customized calendar can motivate them to keep up their hard work. Associates appreciate when their managers recognize excellent work, so the gifts can also boost morale.

In the office
Desk planners are excellent gifts for on-site employees and business clients. It's difficult to stay organized and maintain daily schedules, but desk calendars can help recipients track all of their deadlines and tasks. The promotional items can be particularly effective for business-to-business (B2B) vendors. Workers will use the planners every day and see promotional content, which increases brand recognition.

Businesses must start preparing their 2013 marketing strategies. Calendars can help companies start off on the right foot and contribute to unprecedented levels of success during the new year.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2012/12/11/get-organized-for-the-new-year-with-promotional-calendars/feed0Potential promotional opportunity days in Januaryhttp://blog.myron.com/2012/12/03/potential-promotional-opportunity-days-in-january
http://blog.myron.com/2012/12/03/potential-promotional-opportunity-days-in-january#commentsMon, 03 Dec 2012 15:32:41 +0000http://blog.myron.com/2012/12/03/potential-promotional-opportunity-days-in-januaryWith the holiday season in full swing, it's time for business owners to start thinking about next year. It's important that companies develop marketing strategies in advance so that their competitors don't gain promotional advantages.

January doesn't have large holidays like Thanksgiving, but there are still celebratory days that you can include with your advertising efforts. Capitalizing on these days can help you start the year off right and build momentum for the next 11 months.

New Year's Day
A good start can help lead to a strong finish. New Year's Day is a popular holiday, and businesses can participate by holding events to attract consumers who aren't working. Unique promotional products can act as incentives for customers who weren't planning on going out to start the new year.

Small businesses can offer promotional wall calendars to their patrons who come visit on January 1. Bankrate recently recommended that consumers wait until January to buy their calendars, and local establishments can reward this patience with free gifts.

Clients appreciate being given functional products for free, so the branded calendars should increase your customers' satisfaction. You can also use the promotional products to increase monthly business by including coupons on every page.

Business-to-business vendors can use similar giveaways and distribute personalized calendars and desk planners. Employees and companies want to stay organized during the new year, and establishments that help with that goal will reinforce their relationships.

National Handwriting Day
Since 1977, January 23 has been National Handwriting Day. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA) chose the date because it is John Hancock's birthday. The day is meant to celebrate traditional handwriting, even as typing becomes more popular.

Businesses can celebrate National Handwriting Day by distributing promotional pens and notepads to customers. Parents and teachers can use the items to help their children practice handwriting.

Advertising on pens helps businesses by putting marketing materials directly in front of consumers. Customers frequently need to write notes and are exposed to brands every time they use pens. The American Marketing Association's (AMA) Baltimore Chapter notes that recipients frequently share small gifts, so businesses that distribute pens are advertising to large groups, not just individuals.

While January may not be as hectic as the holiday season, it's still an important time for businesses.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2012/12/03/potential-promotional-opportunity-days-in-january/feed0Getting a jump on next year’s marketinghttp://blog.myron.com/2012/09/19/getting-a-jump-on-next-years-marketing
http://blog.myron.com/2012/09/19/getting-a-jump-on-next-years-marketing#commentsWed, 19 Sep 2012 13:57:11 +0000http://blog.myron.com/2012/09/19/getting-a-jump-on-next-years-marketingWhile a new school year is just beginning, the actual year is coming to a close. Consumers are going to start purchasing calendars to keep themselves on schedule. A business that meets this demand early with promotional calendars can create a yearlong marketing campaign.

For small business-to-business companies, giving away functional office gifts could be the key to raising visibility among potential clients. Associates are busy and may have a difficult time staying on schedule. Instead of scrambling to find one on sale in January, employees typically appreciate having a desk planner well before a new year begins.

For consumers who are constantly on the go, a pocket calendar may be more useful. A business owner could emblazon an establishment's logo on every page to create brand constant exposure.

Calendars are an inexpensive marketing tool compared to other platforms such as commercials or print advertisements. These functional giveaways serve as a long-lasting campaign, so business owners will likely see a higher return on their marketing dollar. Potential clients will not only be exposed regularly to the company's brand image, but may even be grateful to receive such a useful gift.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2012/09/19/getting-a-jump-on-next-years-marketing/feed0Keeping a law firm on schedulehttp://blog.myron.com/2012/08/31/keeping-a-law-firm-on-schedule
http://blog.myron.com/2012/08/31/keeping-a-law-firm-on-schedule#commentsFri, 31 Aug 2012 14:55:41 +0000http://blog.myron.com/2012/08/31/keeping-a-law-firm-on-scheduleManaging a law firm is a hectic and demanding task. Lawyers perform research, file paperwork, meet with clients, negotiate settlements and present cases in court. The job requires a lot of multitasking and presents a constant series of deadlines.

Partners can keep their associates on schedule and make sure nothing is overlooked with promotional items. If the entire staff was given a desk planner, every important project and its due date could be listed. The attorneys would be able to see what needs to be focused on and would not have to scramble because they forgot that an important deadline was approaching.

Pocket planners would make sure that the entire firm has access to its schedule when out of the office. If a lawyer has to leave and meet with a client, he or she won't have to remember that there is an important hearing an hour later.

All the attorneys in a firm would appreciate functional gifts that make their jobs more manageable. Managing partners can make sure the entire office is running smoothly and that no job is left unfinished with promotional calendars.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2012/08/31/keeping-a-law-firm-on-schedule/feed0Make your business part of every day with wall calendarshttp://blog.myron.com/2012/07/19/make-your-business-part-of-every-day-with-wall-calendars
http://blog.myron.com/2012/07/19/make-your-business-part-of-every-day-with-wall-calendars#commentsThu, 19 Jul 2012 11:48:45 +0000http://blog.myron.com/2012/07/19/make-your-business-part-of-every-day-with-wall-calendarsCreating a schedule is one of the things that helps people keep track of all the things they need to do during the day, the week and beyond. Wall calendars, desk calendars and planners are all diverse tools that assist with this task, making day to day events easier to plan when a person can easily access their entire list of upcoming events in one handy utility.

The nice thing about a promotional calendar is that not only will a consumer see it every day, others will also be able to view it regularly as well. Each month provides a new opportunity to advertise the business logo and another of its products or services, or else a company can have the same image every month to reinforce the same corporate message.

Corporations that want to create a unified culture within the workplace can also take the first step with corporate gifts of wall calendars. These will present a consistent vision of employee loyalty throughout the office as each desk will have some business message present in an aesthetic way.

A different advantage

Since a company can totally layout its own calendar design, the options are only limited to what the organization can come up with. A Gather article pointed out that businesses can use these as a way of drawing attention to a specific day or series of events important to the company even without accompanying it with an image, making broader array of planners more appealing for use.

Having a date-keeping tool readily on hand will make consumers and employees associate the business with timeliness and organization, qualities that should be part of the corporate culture and are easily boosted with promotional planners. These can be handed out as workplace incentives or given to existing customers. Businesses can also give them away at conference or public events to draw new clientele and raise awareness of the establishment.

Many design options

Many different aspects can be customized with wall calendars, meaning every part of the consumer experience has the ability to be engineered by careful corporate design choices. Color, images, size and branding choices will affect the way a customer and employee use the item on a regular basis.

Promotional Merchandise Online wrote that balancing these decorating options with the overall function of the item give the promotional calendar the best impact in terms of a giveaway at any event. Viewers both within the organization as well as casual viewers should be able to get some part of the brand's impact just by looking at a well-designed calendar or planner. The company can also specify certain dates, highlighting calls to action when certain events the issuing organization feels are important and can help drive business should be looming. Accountants might consider tax season a prime time to put reminders on their promotional calendars for clients to contact them for assistance, for instance.

Melodika wrote in a recent article that these calendars, apart from being functional, also come in a variety of viewing designs that can make them more appealing to different audiences. Tear away pages, stand-up features and interesting shapes can all make a promotional calendar really stand out on a client's desk or in an employee's work station. These tools are versatile, affordable and will have staying power with recipients who turn to them to plan their everyday and upcoming activities.

]]>http://blog.myron.com/2012/07/19/make-your-business-part-of-every-day-with-wall-calendars/feed0Inspire fun at the office with promo itemshttp://blog.myron.com/2012/05/08/inspire-fun-at-the-office-with-promo-items
http://blog.myron.com/2012/05/08/inspire-fun-at-the-office-with-promo-items#commentsTue, 08 May 2012 16:23:08 +0000http://blog.myron.com/2012/05/08/inspire-fun-at-the-office-with-promo-itemsWhile serious work and dedication are the foundations for success of any small business, what helps employees put their noses to the grindstone is the ability to contrast the productive labor with moments of respite. Promotional products can help inspire a playful atmosphere that will ultimately give your clients a motivated edge.

As tradeshow giveaways, make custom coffee mugs that have lists of fun trivia on them. The mugs should have a series of questions with the answers on the bottom or the opposite side. Have the subject matter vary, from history to pop culture, so everyone can get involved. An example of a good question would be, "What NBA player has scored the most points in a single game?" On the other side of the mug it would read, "Wilt Chamberlin scored 100 points on a game played against New York March 2, 1962." Your clients will get a kick out of quizzing each other as they take a break with a cup of coffee.

Personalized calendars can also be the source of smiles and entertainment. For each page of the calendar, put a riddle or a joke. The April joke, which would play on the theme of the month's rainy weather, would be, "What runs but never walks?" The answer: water!

To test someone's skills of logic, math or vocabulary, give away notepads that have challenging puzzles. The cover of the notebook would have your company's logo and on the inside there would be a word search, while the last page could have a challenging Suduko puzzle.The corporate gifts that you give out do not have to have anything written on them, but they can be included in fun gift packages, or come with printouts that have things like word searches or mazes on them.

Custom flash drives are also a great arena for more fun activities. While customers might ultimately use them to store their files, you can have them come with fun downloadable games, goofy pictures or more puzzles, riddles and jokes.

By associating your brand with fun and entertainment, you demonstrate a dynamic ability to mix business with pleasure. This will eliminate any impersonal facade, and it will enhance your reputation for approachability and openness, which translates into being an enterprise that has good customer service.